Back In Africa

It’s unbelievable that 11 days have passed since arriving on the Anastasis here in Tema Ghana. At times it feels shorter but most times it feels much, much longer. Not in a bad way but when we came back aboard it felt like an old comfortable home that we left. We probably knew at least ½ the crew by name and remembered how to get around the ship. Not being lost and not being able to find the bathrooms IS a big deal here. So we were ahead of the game. The ship has a peace about it I’ve never known before. I know that the majority of that is due to the prayers of many faithful people praying for the transition of the two ships and for those that are leaving their home of many years. There is an understated sadness among long-term crew as they leave their homes, school, friends, work and ministry. When you leave a ship you leave so many aspects of your life behind. By the end of this month most of those not moving onto the Africa Mercy will be gone and we will miss their faces in the halls, we will miss the contribution they have made.

Our first week and a half have not been without adventure. That’s what we love about Africa - - there is an adventure is every small thing. So far every time I’ve has driven into town I’ve had a big-small (translation: medium) incident. The first time I went with Naomi, the outgoing Crew Services Manager to Accra which should be about a 45 minute drive. Not for us! We were lost on the same road back and forth for nearly 3 hours. The Ghanaian people are so helpful they believe it nearly a sin if you don’t help a stranger. So if your car is pointed in one direction and you ask how to get somewhere they will point in that direction and say “go straight-straight” (that’s different than straight, or straight left you know) even if you should be going in the opposite direction. We were up and down that road so many times the locals started waving and laughing at us. Then a nearly naked man painted like the Ghana flag jumped in front of the Land Rover wearing only Calvin Klein briefs, super-fly sunglasses and a box on his head. He would not move. People started crowding the vehicle and yelling at us to give him money for him to move. There is one thing you don’t want to mess with and that’s a hot, tired, thirsty old woman! I wouldn’t budge and he wouldn’t move. So we sat eye-ball to eye-ball and I started praying. Didn’t take long after that and he moved. After we found the market we were in search of I was followed to the car by a rather large man who cornered me as I opened the door of the vehicle. He said to me “You’re Fat!” To which I responded “Thank you very much, I didn’t know that!” Now in America that would be so very rude but not so here. That is a great compliment. The larger the woman the wealthier and healthier she must be. He then broke out into a marriage proposal. When I told him I was already married he said there was enough for him to share! On the way home we started getting low on fuel because this was to be a 3 hour maximum trip that turned into a 6 hour trip. What we didn’t know was there was a diesel shortage in the town. We stopped at 9 gas stations looking for fuel and by the time we got within 20 minutes of the ship and running on fumes we found fuel. A few days later I threw a going away party for Naomi at a local Chinese restaurant. It is a 20 minute ride which turned into a 2 hour and 40 minute trip one way because the Land Rover following us broke down, had to be push started in the midst of heavy traffic. It was a great evening and the total bill for the night for 14 people was nearly 3 Million Cedi. The exchange rate is 10,000 to $1.00. The largest bill they have here is a 20,000 Cedi. Robert is very proud of the fact that what he told me many years ago has finally come true “Stick with me and I’ll make you a millionaire”.

The absolutely greatest news since we have been here is that Miss Jessica Behmlander arrived here Friday night. Teary-eyed but with a smile that would not end, Jessica stepped out into the African night where we met her at the airport. She couldn’t stop saying “So Cool!” Jessica also broke an all-time Mercy Ships’ record. It only took her 5 minutes from the airport to the first toll booth before the toll operator reached in the back window, patted her hand and asked her to marry him. We were all surprised - - never seen it happen so fast. Jessica has already experienced a typical market place, been cheered in the streets for being a Mercy Shipper, dance performances by a youth group, involved in a Ghanaian riot parade over the World Cup, church service and dancing up to the offering plate. Her eyes are so huge as she watches out of the car window. Her presence here is so good for us. Not that Africa has become old hat for us but now we get to see it all over again through the eyes of a very excited teenager. It reminds us of why we love this country and its people. She is going to have an awesome time. Thank you Tom and Jeanne for trusting us with your most precious gifts.

Medical screening will be next week, June 26 and 27. This is where any patient with cataracts, VVF, cleft-lip, tumors or orthopedic needs will be tested and examined to see if it is possible for us to operate. This time it is a 2 day event. Jessica is signed up to help with the children during screening, Robert wants to escort patients and I have signed up to pray with those that are terminal or cannot be helped by the types of surgeries we can perform and to explain why. We have gone into the area called “New Town” in which Jessica will be with the dental team starting in the next two weeks. She is already starting to make connection with the children there and she will come home very different than when she left. Jessica found out that whenever we are invited somewhere we are expected to talk or offer a word of encouragement to the people. On her first day in Africa she was brought before the Youth group that performed for us and she did a great job of encouraging and thanking the children.

PRAYER POINTS

Upcoming screening – for order, peace and calmness. That those that come to seek medical help that do not know the Lord will be attracted by Jesus in us.

Another delay for the Africa Mercy has been announced due to bankruptcy of one of our suppliers causing essential equipment to be resourced. Please pray for those crew members’ perseverance and faithfulness.

Susan’s department as they move in a new direction under her leadership. For unity, an attitude of customer service, excellence, teamwork and servant’s heart.

To find what God has intended for us to invest our extra time in. There are soooo many opportunities, all of which are worthy, but to know where we can and should make a difference.